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Biomedical subjects

R D Parker

Publications and source records attributed to R D Parker.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Localized anterior arthrofibrosis (cyclops lesion) after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament: MR imaging findings.

OBJECTIVE: A localized form of anterior arthrofibrosis, the so-called cyclops lesion, has recently been reported to be a significant cause of loss of knee extension after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee. The purpose of this study was to characterize the MR appearance of this lesion. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Five patients who had arthroscopic verification of a focal nodule of fibrous tissue in the intercondylar notch anterior to the reconstructed ACL (the cyclops lesion) and who had an MR examination after ACL reconstruction but before repeat arthroscopy and excision of the cyclops lesion were included in this study. The MR images were evaluated for the presence of soft tissue in the intercondylar notch anterior to the reconstructed ACL. If present, this tissue was graded as 1, 2, or 3, depending on its anterior extent along the femoral condyle. RESULTS: MR images of all five patients showed abnormal soft tissue with signal characteristics consistent with fibrous tissue anterior to the reconstructed ACL in the intercondylar notch. The abnormal tissue was grade 2 or 3 in all patients. CONCLUSION: MR imaging shows soft tissue with signal characteristics consistent with fibrous tissue anterior to the reconstructed ACL in the intercondylar notch in patients with localized anterior arthrofibrosis. Although the sensitivity and specificity of MR imaging for the cyclops lesion are yet to be determined, visualization of such fibrous tissue on MR images in a patient with clinical symptoms suggestive of localized anterior arthrofibrosis may be helpful in confirming the diagnosis.

Adult↗

Arthroscopic resection of an extrasynovial ossifying chondroma of the infrapatellar fat pad: end-stage Hoffa's disease?

Hoffa's disease, an obscure cause of anterior knee pain resulting from impingement and inflammation of the infrapatellar fat pad, was first reported by Albert Hoffa in 1904. Since the initial description, the clinical and pathological processes with an acute-to-chronic progression have been defined. Despite reports of eventual fibrocartilaginous transformation and ossification of the fat pad, no relation has been described between chronic impingement and the development of ossifying chondroma. We present a case of a unilateral, ossifying chondroma in the infrapatellar fat pad that resulted from chronic impingement and repetitive microtrauma. This case shows the radiologic, histologic, and pathologic features of Hoffa's disease. Successful arthroscopic resection is presented. A possible relationship between impingement of the infrapatellar fat pad and the development of ossifying chondroma may exist.

Arthroscopy↗

Immunological and neurobiochemical alterations induced by repeated oral exposure of phenol in mice.

Phenol, a major metabolite of benzene, is a potentially immunotoxic and neurotoxic substance of environmental significance. Male CD-1 mice were continuously exposed to 0, 4.7, 19.5, and 95.2 mg phenol/l in drinking water for 4 weeks. Various immune functions were evaluated and levels of selected neurotransmitters and metabolites measured in discrete brain regions. The doses of phenol did not produce any overt clinical signs of toxicity; peripheral red blood cell counts and hematocrits decreased. A dose of 95.2 mg/l suppressed the stimulation of cultured splenic lymphocytes by lipopolysaccharide, pokeweed mitogen, and phytohemagglutinin and the response in mixed lymphocyte cultures. The two high doses suppressed antibody production response to the T cell-dependent antigen (sheep erythrocytes), as determined by plaque-forming cells, and serum antibody levels. Mice treated with phenol had lower levels of neurotransmitters in several brain regions. In the hypothalamus, a major norepinephrine-containing compartment, the concentrations of norepinephrine significantly decreased by 29 and 40% in groups dosed with 19.5 and 95.2 mg/l, while dopamine concentrations decreased in the corpus striatum by 21, 26, and 35% at 4.7, 19.5 and 95.2 mg/l, respectively. Phenol also decreased 5-hydroxytryptamine in the hypothalamus, medulla oblongata, midbrain and corpus striatum. Levels of monoamine metabolites decreased in the hypothalamus (5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid), midbrain (vanillylmandelic acid), corpus striatum (vanillylmandelic acid and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid), cortex (vanillylmandelic acid), and cerebellum (dihydroxyphenylacetic acid).

Administration, Oral↗

The use of human repetitive DNA to target selectable markers into only the human chromosome of a human-hamster hybrid cell line (AL)

We used the plasmid BLUR-8 that contains an 800-base pair (bp) sequence of human repetitive Alu DNA in a cotransfection protocol to target the plasmids pSV2neo or EBO-pcD-leu-2 (hygro) into a single site of the sole human chromosome, number 11, of a Chinese hamster-human hybrid cell line (AL). The neo and hygro plasmids confer resistance to the antibiotics G418 and hygromycin, respectively. Of the 33 cotransfected clones with single-site insertions, 1/13 without BLUR-8 and 6/20 with BLUR-8 were only in human chromosome 11. A frequency of insertion of 1/13 is not different than expected by chance (rho = 0.3512). On the other hand, the probability that 6/20 insertions, as seen with BLUR-8, occurred by chance is low (rho = 0.0003). We suggest that the human DNA sequences contained in BLUR-8 targeted insertions into only the human chromosome.

Animals↗

Reducing the number of rabbits in the low-volume eye test.

Although the Draize eye irritation test has provided important and useful information for eye safety assessments, considerable effort has been directed toward refining the assay procedure, reducing the number of animals used, and replacing this assay with alternative methods. The low-volume eye test (LVET) is a refinement of the Draize eye irritation test that uses 1/10 the volume of test substance placed directly on the cornea. The level and duration of eye irritation in the LVET are less than those in the Draize procedure, which means that it is a less stressful test. Furthermore, LVETs are more predictive of human response. Statistical studies have been conducted to determine the effects of reducing the number of animals used in the Draize test. These results suggested that a three-animal test would provide essentially the same information as the six-animal test. A similar analysis has not been performed on results from the LVET. Accordingly, the present study was undertaken to evaluate previously existing LVET data to determine if the number of animals used in a LVET can be decreased as has been shown for the Draize test. The results of the analysis are consistent with the findings of earlier evaluations of classical Draize data. Three-animal subsets from 119 six-animal LVETs provided the correct classification greater than 92% of the time for three different classification schemes. Furthermore, the discrepancies between the three-animal subsets and the six-animal maximum average score tended to be smaller than those observed for the Draize test.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

The biomechanical effects of geometric configuration of bone-tendon-bone autografts in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

This study provides biomechanical support for a new technique of autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction featuring circular bone plugs and endosteal interference fit fixation. Six matched pairs of fresh frozen human knees were utilized. Femoral interference fit pull-out strength was determined from material-testing-machine-generated oscillograph recordings at a strain rate of 100%/s. Circular bone plugs, obtained with a circular oscillating saw, provided 19.9% greater interference fit pull-out strength compared with identically fixed trapezoidal bone plugs. Different geometric defects were compared in three- and four-point bending on an Instron machine with frozen patellae and an artificial bone composite. Circular defects have 107% greater strength than matched trapezoidal patellar defects in three-point bending. In a bone composite, circular defects are 53% stronger than triangular and 25% stronger in four-point bending than trapezoidal defects. A new technique of harvesting bone plugs with endosteal interference fit fixation is described and biomechanically supported. To date, this technique has been performed on over 500 cases clinically without evidence of patellar fracture or fixation failure. This study demonstrates the efficacy of this simple and reproducible technique compared with previously reported procedures.

Aged↗

Evaluation of seven in vitro alternatives for ocular safety testing.

Seven in vitro assays were evaluated to determine if any were useful as screening procedures in ocular safety assessment. Seventeen test materials (chemicals, household cleaners, hand soaps, dishwashing liquids, shampoos, and liquid laundry detergents) were tested in each assay. In vivo ocular irritation scores for the materials were obtained from existing rabbit low volume eye test (LVET) data. The seven assays evaluated included the silicon microphysiometer (SM), luminescent bacteria toxicity test (LBT), neutral red assay (NR), total protein assay (TP), Tetrahymena thermophila motility assay (TTMA), bovine eye/chorioallantoic membrane assay (BE/CAM), and the EYTEX system (ETS). For the seventeen materials used in this study there was a significant correlation between the in vivo irritant potential and in vitro data for all the tests except the EYTEX System (SM, r = -0.87; LBT, r = -0.91; NR, r = -0.85; TTMA, r = 0.78; TP, r = -0.86; ETS, r = 0.29). The irritation classifications provided by the BE/CAM also did not correspond with the actual in vivo irritancy potential of the test materials. The result of this study suggested it may be possible to classify materials into broad irritancy categories with some of the assays. This would allow their use as screens prior to limited in vivo confirmation in the ocular safety assessment process.

Allantoin↗

Subclinical effects of groundwater contaminants. III. Effects of repeated oral exposure to combinations of benzene and toluene on immunologic responses in mice.

Toxicity of environmental pollutants may be expressed as combined effects of a chemicals. Benzene, a proven hematotoxic agent, frequently occurs with toluene in cocontaminated groundwater. Groups of CD-1 male mice were exposed continuously for 4 weeks to benzene (166 mg/l), toluene (80 and 325 mg/l), and combinations of benzene (166 mg/l) + toluene (80 mg/l or 325 mg/l) in drinking water. Benzene-induced anemia was alleviated by simultaneous toluene treatment. Leukopenia and lymphopenia were observed in the case of benzene only and benzene + toluene (80 mg/l)-treated mice. The cytopenia, however, was less severe in the benzene + toluene (325 mg/l)-treated group. Immunotoxicity induced by benzene treatment alone was characterized by involution of thymic mass and suppressions of both B- and T-cell mitogeneses, mixed lymphocyte culture response to alloantigens, the tumor lytic ability of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes as determined by 51Cr-release assay, and antibody production response to T-dependent antigen (sheep red blood cells). IL-2 secretion by Con A-stimulated mouse T-cells was decreased in the benzene-treated group. Toluene (325 mg/l) completely inhibited these adverse effects when it was coadministered with benzene, while the low dose of toluene (80 mg/l) did not protect against benzene-induced depressions of immune functions. Toluene administered alone at levels up to 325 mg/l showed no obvious immunotoxic effects. Results of this study demonstrated that toluene, in sufficient amounts, has an antagonistic effect on benzene immunotoxicity.

Administration, Oral↗

Subclinical effects of groundwater contaminants. IV. Effects of repeated oral exposure to combinations of benzene and toluene on regional brain monoamine metabolism in mice.

Benzene and toluene are known neurotoxicants that may interact in vivo. The effect of combined treatment with benzene and toluene on the endogenous concentrations of the catecholamines norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA), the catecholamine metabolites vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), and the indoleamine serotonin (5-HT) and its metabolite 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), were investigated in six discrete brain regions of CD-1 mice. Groups of male, adult mice were continuously exposed to benzene (166 mg/l), toluene (80 and 325 mg/l), and combinations of benzene + toluene (80 or 325 mg/l) in drinking water for 4 weeks. Benzene produced increases of NE in the hypothalamus, cortex, midbrain and medulla oblongata, DA in the hypothalamus and corpus striatum, and 5-HT in all dissected brain regions except cerebellum. Elevated levels of various monoamine metabolites were also observed in these brain areas. Toluene ingestion alone also significantly increased the concentrations of NE, DA, 5-HT, and their metabolites in several brain regions. Mice given the combined treatments exhibited raised regional neurochemical levels when compared to the untreated controls. Increased concentrations of biogenic amine metabolites in several brain regions were greater in the combined exposures of benzene and toluene than when either chemical was used alone. The findings were different from those observed on immune parameters using similar treatment protocols, where simultaneous exposure to toluene prevented the immunotoxic effects of benzene.

Administration, Oral↗

Evaluation of toluene exposure via drinking water on levels of regional brain biogenic monoamines and their metabolites in CD-1 mice.

Toluene, a potentially neurotoxic substance, is found in trace amounts in groundwater. Adult male CD-1 mice were continuously fed drinking water ad libitum containing 0, 17, 80, and 405 mg/liter toluene. After a 28-day treatment, animals were tested for endogenous levels of the biogenic monoamines norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), and serotonin (5-HT) and their respective metabolites. 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid (VMA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), in six discrete brain regions. The maximum toluene-induced increases of biogenic amines and their metabolites generally occurred at a toluene concentration of 80 mg/liter. In the hypothalamus, a major NE-containing compartment, the concentrations of NE significantly increased by 51, 63, and 34% in groups dosed with 17, 80, and 405 mg/liter, respectively. Significant increases of NE were also observed in the medulla oblongata and midbrain. Concomitantly, concentrations of VMA increased in various brain regions. Concentrations of DA were significantly higher in the corpus striatum and hypothalamus. Alterations in levels of DA metabolites, DOPAC and HVA, were marginal. Toluene significantly increased concentrations of 5-HT in all dissected brain regions, except cerebellum, and increased the 5-HIAA levels in the hypothalamus, corpus striatum, and cerebral cortex.

Animals↗

Increased hyaline droplet formation in male rats exposed to decalin is dependent on the presence of alpha 2u-globulin.

A peculiar decalin-induced male rat nephropathy associated with the altered renal handling of filtered protein appears limited to the accumulation of the protein, alpha 2u-globulin. Several strains of male rats that produce alpha 2u-globulin (Fischer-344, Sprague-Dawley, Buffalo, and Norway Brown) demonstrate spontaneous renal cortical hyaline droplets which are exacerbated after exposure to decalin. In all cases, a close correlation exists between hyaline droplet formation observed histologically and alpha 2u-globulin accumulation measured biochemically. In stark contrast, the NCI-Black-Reiter strain, which does not produce measurable quantities of alpha 2u-globulin, neither forms hyaline droplets nor accumulates any filtered protein in its kidney cortex either spontaneously or after exposure to decalin. Also, female rats injected ip with male rat alpha 2u-globulin exhibit increased hyaline droplet formation and alpha 2u-globulin accumulation when treated with decalin. These data provide evidence that the presence of alpha 2u-globulin is key in understanding why this nephropathy appears unique to the male rat.

Alpha-Globulins↗

Characterization of the early ultrastructural and biochemical events occurring in dichloromethane diphosphonate nephrotoxicity.

A chelator, dichloromethane diphosphonate (Cl2MDP), used to treat for malignancy-induced hypercalcemia, has nephrotoxic potential. An acute animal model developed to examine the mechanism was used to further characterize the renal effects. NAG enzymuria appears to be an early premonitor of injury. Ultrastructurally, an increase in size and number of protein-containing phagolysosomal reabsorption droplets in proximal convoluted tubules associated with proteinuria precedes advent of tubular cell necrosis indicating these organelles to be a potential target site for Cl2MDP in the kidney. In vitro studies using rabbit cortical tubules and rat brush border membrane vesicle preparations suggest that the renal toxicity is not due to perturbation of phosphate transport or oxidative metabolism. An operational hypothesis emerges indicating that Cl2MDP may be protein bound affecting carrier protein charge facilitating glomerular leakage with tubular accumulation via protein transport. Cl2MDP may induce critical cation perturbation at the subcellular level as the mechanism of cell death.

Animals↗

The ballet technique shoe: a preliminary study of eleven differently modified ballet technique shoes using force and pressure plates.

Ballet dancers are vulnerable to various stress-related injuries; foot and ankle injuries are the most common. This study determined if the pressure across the foot could be more evenly distributed by wearing various modified technique shoes padded with PPT, Spenco, or Sorbathane, alone or in combinations. A professional ballet dancer performed a jump by taking a single step on his left foot, jumping and landing with his right foot on the force and pressure plates with each modified shoe plus one unmodified shoe. The results of this study revealed: (1) total force cannot be reduced, (2) center of gravity and the majority of the pressure is maintained over the first and second metatarsal heads, and (3) the modified technique shoe can more evenly distribute pressure to the medial arch and away from the toes, metatarsal heads, and heel.

Athletic Injuries↗

Biomechanical analysis of pin placement and pin size for external fixation of distal radius fractures.

A series of biomechanical analyses were performed to explain the recent reduction in treatment-related complications of external fixation of distal radius fractures using a limited open approach for pin placement and larger 4-mm self-tapping half pins. A comparison of pull-out strength, stress concentration effect, and inherent bending strength of 3- and 4-mm half pins was performed. The effect of proximal pin placement in the radius or in the ulna and the effect of distal pin placement in four, six, or eight metacarpal cortices were determined. These analyses demonstrate that the 4-mm self-tapping half pins result in a significantly higher pull-out strength and only a small decrease in torsional load strength of the bone. They also demonstrate that proximal pin fixation in the radius produces the most stable fixation and that distal pin fixation into six metacarpal cortices produces a strong configuration that does not violate the interosseous muscles of the second intrinsic compartment. The rate of treatment-related complications in the external fixation of distal radius fractures (specifically, pin loosening, bending and breakage, fracture through pin sites, collapse at the fracture site, and intrinsic contracture) are addressed in this study. Such complications can be minimized by using 4-mm pins after central predrilling, with proximal placement in the radius and distal placement through six cortices of the bases of the second and third metacarpals.

Animals↗

Resection of the patellar ligament: a complication of arthroscopic synovectomy.

Knee arthroscopy has evolved over the years to a point where most orthopaedic surgeons feel comfortable with both diagnostic and operative arthroscopy. As a result of the more powerful and sophisticated instrumentation available today, the role of operative arthroscopy has far surpassed original expectations. Certain instrumentation carries with it increased risk of both intraarticular and extraarticular injury if the surgeon fails to pay attention to anatomic landmarks. In this communication, we report a previously undescribed complication of operative arthroscopy--resection of the patellar ligament.

Adult↗

Immunotoxicological evaluation of toluene exposure via drinking water in mice.

Toluene is a known contaminant found in trace amounts in groundwater. Male CD-1 mice were exposed to 0, 17, 80, and 405 mg/liter toluene in drinking water for 4 weeks. Immune function assays were selected to evaluate specific humoral and cell-mediated immunity, interleukin-2 (IL-2) activity, hematology, along with general toxicity. Toluene produced an increase in liver weight and decrease in thymus mass at the highest dose. No effects on body weights and hematological parameters, including erythrocytes, leukocytes, and their differentials were noticed. Mitogenesis by lipopolysaccharide, pokeweed mitogen, concanavalin A, and phytohemagglutinin were suppressed in splenocytes from treated mice. Splenocyte lymphoproliferation to alloantigens decreased at the 405 mg/liter concentration only. Numbers of sheep red blood cell (SRBC)-specific plaque-forming cells decreased in the highest dosed animals; however, no significant change was observed in the serum alpha-SRBC antibody level. Toluene also adversely affected IL-2 synthesis at the 405 mg/liter concentration. Findings suggest that alteration of immune functions of mice ingesting toluene was generally evident at relatively high doses, except for splenic lymphocyte responses to selected mitogens.

Administration, Oral↗

Development of an acute model for the study of chloromethanediphosphonate nephrotoxicity.

Chloromethanediphosphonate (Cl2MDP), a cation chelator, is used as a therapeutic for hypercalcemia of malignancy. Cl2MDP exhibits nephrotoxic potential. Thus, a useful model has been developed to study the mechanism of injury. Intraperitoneal administration of highly exaggerated dosages, specifically 200 mg/kg b.i.d., resulted in a consistent mild to moderate extent of kidney damage after the third day of treatment in rats. Proteinuria and lowered serum phosphorus levels occur prior to onset of histopathologic changes. Injury was characterized as necrosis of proximal tubular epithelium with predilection for pars recta. Unlike many renal toxicity models, the necrosis occurs as cell lysis only after 24 to 48 hours of treatment. However, this model significantly reduces the time required to induce renal toxicity observed in routine toxicity studies from months of treatment to less than 1 week and will, thus, serve as a baseline for subsequent pathogenetic studies.

Animals↗